A female coroner arrived at the Jingzhao Prefecture.

Chapter 304 The Broken Adult

Southern Prison.

Mu Qingcheng returned just in time after finishing her work.

After the ground in the pit cooled down, they took out a straw mat, carried the skeleton out of the cellar, and examined it under a red oil-paper umbrella, facing the light.

"The bones were of normal color. Apart from the fatal stab wound to the heart bone, there were no broken bones from before death or injuries after death in other parts of the body."

This result was unexpected by Mu Qingcheng.

The victim was killed with a single stab, without any resistance or struggle.
In response, the coroner suggested, "Master Mu, should we use the oil-filling method to re-examine the body?"

"Okay." Mu Qingcheng nodded.

They would fill potentially damaged bones with oil. Large bones had crevices, and small bones had holes. Once the oil was full and overflowed, they would immediately wipe it dry with a cloth and then examine it against a light. They would see that the oil stopped at the elbow bone, creating a shadow, while the other bones remained bright and undamaged.

Mu Qingcheng sighed, "There is damage to the elbow bone, but compared to the broken heart bone, it was clearly earlier than the time of the killing, and it was not the same injury at the same time."

"Master Mu, shall we try again?" the coroner asked. The reason they were so cautious was that the cave's seal and the sheer number of bones were suspicious.

After a moment's thought, Mu Qingcheng decisively said, "Let's continue trying!"

Next, the three used the ink-applied method for a second re-examination. Thick ink was applied to the bone, and after the ink dried, it was washed off the bone. The result was as shown above: only the elbow bone had been infiltrated by the ink.

During the third re-examination, when fresh cotton was used to rub the bone, the cotton was pulled up at the elbow bone, and the sharp edges of the bone pointed inward, indicating that it had been fractured by beating.

Mu Qingcheng concluded, "Now that the results are in, we've reached the end of the examination of skeleton number one. Let's begin the examination of skeleton number two."

Using the same methods and steps, they worked for another two hours. The results showed that the lumbar vertebrae and coccyx of the second skeleton had old damage, but this was also earlier than the fatal heart bone injury.

Mu Qingcheng instructed the officials and servants to collect the remains, properly arrange them, and then go off duty to rest, continuing the examination the next day.

……

Dusk was approaching.

When Mu Qingcheng returned to the side room, the maid had already prepared a bathtub and hot water.

She had taken a bath, changed her clothes, and was about to head to the kitchen for dinner when Song Li suddenly burst in!

"Mother!"

Since returning to the capital, Mu Qingcheng had forbidden Song Li from addressing her that way. Seeing his anxious expression, she didn't bother to correct him and asked directly, "What's wrong, sir?"

Unless something happened to Song Shuyu, it's impossible for Song Li to be both diligent and anxious.

Song Li said, "Master is drinking alone in his room, and he's already finished two jars of wine!"

"Drinking?" Mu Qingcheng asked in surprise, puzzled, "Why would you be drinking at the yamen, sir? What happened?"

Song Li remained silent for a long time.

Mu Qingcheng lost her patience, walked past Song Li, and strode away.

Song Li sighed deeply. The royal temple was not effective. He would try another temple tomorrow!

Just like when Song Shuyu tortured himself last time, the master bedroom door was tightly closed, and Liu's mother was waiting at the door, pacing back and forth anxiously.

Upon seeing Mu Qingcheng, Liu Mama felt as if she had seen a savior. She knelt on the ground and kowtowed desperately, "Master Mu, please take a look at the Second Young Master. He hasn't eaten a single bite of lunch or dinner. Drinking on an empty stomach is really bad for his health!"

Mu Qingcheng's heart clenched as she listened. "Prepare water and serve the meal."

Mother Liu was overjoyed, "Yes!"

Mu Qingcheng stepped onto the stairs and reached out to push the door, but it was bolted from the inside and wouldn't open. She knocked twice and called out, "My lord, I'll count to three. If you don't open the door, I'll break it down!" There was no response from inside.

"One, two..."

Before the number "three" could even be reached, the door suddenly opened!
The next moment, a strong force pulled Mu Qingcheng inside!

Before she could react, she fell into an embrace reeking of alcohol!
The man's strong arms were tightly wrapped around her waist and back, and her head was pressed against his chest, her face almost flattened.

"S-Sir..."

Mu Qingcheng struggled to breathe. She pulled her hand away from him with difficulty and gently patted the back of his head. "Let go of me first. I'm so hungry. I want to eat."

Upon hearing that she was hungry, Song Shuyu immediately let go of her hand, led her unsteadily towards the inner room, pressed her down into a chair, and whispered, "I'll have someone bring the food over right away."

His eyes were glazed over, and his fair, handsome face was flushed with the rosy hue of alcohol.

Mu Qingcheng tenderly cupped Song Shuyu's face in her hands and gently coaxed, "I've already asked Liu Mama to prepare the meal. Would you like to eat with me, sir?"

"I can't eat."

Song Shuyu looked like a puppy that had been abandoned, and her whole being exuded a sense of brokenness.

Mu Qingcheng tilted her head and thought for a moment, "If you are obedient, I will help you wash your face and hands, and I will also feed you, and even..." She touched his lips with her slender finger, and a smile spread across her eyes, "I can also kiss you."

Song Shuyu's eyes suddenly lit up. "Really?"

"Yes, really." Mu Qingcheng nodded.

Song Shuyu immediately agreed, "Okay, I'll do as you say."

Mu Qingcheng smiled, "Sir, you are so good."

When Liu's mother brought over a basin of water and a cloth, she was overjoyed to see that Song Shuyu had stopped drinking and was sitting quietly in a chair. "Miss Mu really knows how to handle things."

Mu Qingcheng picked up a cloth and said, "I'll help you wash up, sir. You clean the table and serve the meal quickly."

Mrs. Liu worked quickly and soon cleared the table and set out light and delicious food.

Mu Qingcheng treated Song Shuyu like a child, washing his face and hands clean, giving him a hangover soup, and then keeping her promise, feeding him.

They ate the meal slowly and deliberately, taking about 15 minutes.

Song Shuyu was thinking about his sweetheart and didn't want to eat anymore, but Mu Qingcheng wouldn't allow it. She fed him bite after bite until she felt he had had enough, and then she stopped.

However, after the meal was cleared and Song Shuyu rinsed his mouth, Mu Qingcheng refused to kiss him. She crossed her arms and began interrogating Song Shuyu, "Why did you drink?"

Song Shuyu lowered her eyes, seemingly reluctant to answer.

Mu Qingcheng's brows furrowed. "We're not even married yet, and you're already hiding this from me? What if you're two-faced and hypocritical after the marriage..."

"No, Qingcheng, I didn't mean to hide it from you, it's just that I..." Song Shuyu suddenly became anxious, grabbing Mu Qingcheng's hand tightly, her eyes filled with panic, "I, I'm scared!"

Mu Qingcheng asked in astonishment, "Afraid? My wise and mighty master actually has something to be afraid of?"

“Hmm.” Song Shuyu felt a lump in her throat. “Let me make it clear first, I’m not jealous, don’t be angry with me. I’m just afraid… afraid that you won’t like me anymore, afraid that you will listen to Uncle Mu and marry Lu Xun.”

"This... what are you talking about?" Mu Qingcheng was completely bewildered. "Sir, weren't you always calling him father-in-law? Why are you calling him Uncle Mu again?"

Song Shuyu's expression was extremely sad. "My gift was rejected by Uncle Mu. He even wrote a letter warning me not to think about you."

(End of this chapter)